A review by eisenbuns
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian

adventurous hopeful lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Need was only weakness by another name. And if someone could give you what you needed, they could just as easily take it away.”

Why YOU should read “The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes”

  • There’s only one bed
  • Bisexual main characters
  • Robin Hood & Maid Marian inspired
  • Hurt/Comfort and trauma recovery

The Duchess of Clare is a murderer. It’s not exactly the proper occupation for a duchess, but Marian Hayes is not the average noble. When she receives letters from a man claiming to have knowledge of her husband’s bigamy–and asks for 500£ to keep it quiet, no less–she finds she can’t resist writing back, sparking the beginning of a wild adventure. Through the streets of Georgian London, across the countryside of Kent, and inside a series of questionable inns, this physical journey mirrors an equally-impressive set of character arcs. 

There’s so much I want to say about this novel, it’s hard to know where to begin. 

I found  both main characters extremely lovable. Rob is a hopeless sweetheart who’s lived a dangerous life as a highwayman. Marian is all sharp edges and wit with a heart of gold, despite the abuse she’s shuffered. They make a match that simmers with chemistry and underlying anxieties that need to be overcome. What makes a ‘good’ person, truly, and what tips the scales to make someone ‘bad’? Murder? Postpartum Depression? Thievery? 

I’ll be honest– I don’t ordinarily read spicy romances. I find intimate scenes cringe-worthy a lot of the time and would rather fade to black. So, I hope you’ll understand how significant it is for me to say that every single hot-and-heavy scene was necessary to this narrative. Rife with character-building moments, every time these characters came together, they overcame some personal obstacle. I won’t tell you any details, but I was so impressed by the handling of these scenes (and all the baggage unpacked in them), I had to stop reading and tell my spouse all about them. I mean, they were also super hot; Cat Sebastian delivers.

I absolutely loved this work. The ending felt somewhat rushed to me, with one particular flimsy thread that wove through the majority of the narrative (a certain ominous ‘brother’ figure) fraying away altogether. This is possibly the only gripe I have about the book, and the journey more than made up for any messiness at the end. 

If you like period pieces, and you like excellent banter, steamy romance, “there’s only one bed!,” and enemies-to-friends-to-lovers, please pick up this book when it releases on June 7th, 2022. You won’t regret it for a moment.




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